Premier Pat Binns today praised the efforts of Islanders in responding to the crisis caused by the ice storm in Quebec and Ontario.
"Now that most of the crisis has passed, I want to congratulate Islanders for the generosity of the response. Within hours, Islanders, individually and through organizations and businesses, were responding to the need. Islanders were able to help in many ways and were willing to help in any way they could. Generators and other supplies were sent. Shipments of milk from Quebec were processed here. Money was donated. Line crews were sent. There was a real reaching out."
Premier Binns says he spoke this week with Quebec Premier, Lucien Bouchard, in follow up to the initial involvement of the province. "Premier Bouchard says the people of Quebec feel very grateful for the assistance they have received from other Provinces, such as Prince Edward Island, and several U.S. States. By the end of this week, he expects all areas to have power restored, but of course it will be many months before the clean-up and full reconstruction is complete. However, it would have been much more difficult if it were not for the spontaneous involvement of others."
Premier Binns says the rapid and generous response from other provinces helped ease a very difficult situation for those devastated by the ice storm, and the involvement of Islanders is appreciated.